Ruddercraft/Tiller Choice

[Vipersdad]

I am getting ready to send in my order worksheet to Ruddercraft.  Does anyone have any comments/suggestions regarding ordering anything other than the stock tiller style (Option C).  The C tiller has a 4" rise.

V.

[Salty19]

Yes, I ordered that combo about 6 years ago.  Love it.

I would say it depends on how high your knee cap is. I'm about 6'1"+ with longish legs.  I found the C style was just a tad too low with their stock holes in the tiller. Like 1/2" so not much.   If you're similar or taller, my vote is to order the tiller undrilled so you can tweak the height.  An 1/8" difference in the hole alignment would make a significant height change at the end of the tiller. If you're a little shorter, the height will probably be OK. 

The rise is a little misleading on the C style because it seems to be calculated on the high point further from the end of the tiller.  It slopes down a little towards the end, so the end you hold is not 4" higher than the butt. More like 1 1/2".  I actually just bought the style E (straight) and it's a little taller based on measurements off the boat.  The old one was bugging me hitting my knee all the time.   I will be mounting the new one pretty soon, just need the varnish to dry and get a dry day to mount it.  So if you can wait I can give you better feedback.  However, I did order it undrilled and placed the holes in the right spot to raise it up to just the right spot...I think.

BTW, I went pretty long on the rudder length--27" if memory serves so it would hit ground before the keel.  I ended up cutting it down about 3 more inches though.  I can feel the tiller oscillate a little when I'm in shallow water, a signal to turn around ASAP.  Anywho...I vote 24" long rudder.  I don't think the extra drag is significant, the boat is quick and when the wind picks up the weather helm is just about perfect (very light but still will turn into the wind as a safety feature).